Stories from Wednesday, May 18, 2011

City eyes plan to make all council members at-large(05/18/11)Would it be better for Le Mars citizens if all five city council members were elected at-large rather than having three represent specific wards within the city? That's the question Le Mars City Council members brought up Tuesday during a discussion about the revised maps of the three city wards following the 2010 Census...

Le Mars peace officer honored 123 years after death(05/18/11)In 1888, a Le Mars police officer was shot and killed on what is now the first block of Central Avenue. This week, that man -- Samuel Hamilton -- is being recognized for his sacrifice. His name was added to the Iowa Peace Officer Memorial on the campus of Iowa's Capitol building Tuesday...

Gehlen Activity Recreation Fun Day(05/18/11)Gehlen Catholic School students race to the finish in an obstacle course set up at the annual GARF (Gehlen Activity Recreation Fun Day) Tuesday. A wide variety of games were held at the Le Mars Municipal Park for freshmen through seniors.

Supporters, staff mark dialysis center grand opening(05/18/11)After years of discussion and preparation, the Le Mars Area Dialysis Services center had its grand opening Tuesday. With more than 60 people present, the center's medical director Dr. Liem-Som Oei officially cut the ribbon, marking the center's opening...

American Legion welcomes new flags for Avenue of Flags(05/18/11)The local American Legion will conduct the annual Avenue of Flags program on Memorial Day in Le Mars, and family members wishing to add a flag for a deceased veteran can do so. Those who wish to have a flag dedicated in this year's ceremony should have that flag brought to the Wasmer Post #241 American Legion Club at 110 Plymouth St. S.W. in Le Mars by 6 p.m. Friday, May 27...

What's it like being a pilot?(05/18/11)The sky's the limit when it comes to career choices for students these days. Jason Martin, Le Mars Community Middle School guidance counselor (left), and eighth graders learning about different careers visit with a Mercy Medical Center Air Care pilot Tuesday morning. The helicopter was flown in specifically for the LCMS students, landing in the grassy area west of the school's track...

Baseball preview: Competitive seniors lead Bulldogs(05/18/11)LE MARS -- The Le Mars baseball team lost several talented seniors from last year's team. But the Bulldogs return four players who were All-Lakes Conference performers who will look to improve on last season's 14-16 campaign. "The seniors that we've got, they've been a pretty good group in the sense that they come out and compete every day," said Le Mars coach Trent Eckstaine, who led the 'Dogs to the district title and a substate appearance in 2009. ...

Baseball preview: Young Jays ready to prove themselves(05/18/11)LE MARS -- Gehlen Catholic baseball coach Marty Kurth doesn't exactly relish the thought of replacing seven seniors. But the longtime Jays coach also realizes it is a chance for his younger kids to make their own mark. "I think we're always optimistic," said Kurth. ...

District golf preview(05/18/11)Class 1A District Tournament Friday, May 20 Host: Hinton Course: Spencer Municipal Golf Course Team qualifiers From sectional at Rock Rapids: From sectional at Hinton: From sectional at Newell-Fonda: From sectional at North Iowa: Individual Qualifiers...

Le Mars natives lead team to state title(05/18/11)PHOENIX -- Le Mars native Shanda Weiler coached the Lady Patriots of Arizona's Mohave Accelerated Learning Center to the first state softball title in the school's nine-year history on Saturday, May 14, at the Arizona Charter Athletics Association 2A Division softball tournament in Phoenix...

Elmer Muecke(05/18/11)Elmer Muecke, age 81, of Sheldon, died Sunday, May 15, 2011, at his home in Sheldon. Elmer Oswald Muecke was born Nov. 5, 1929, in Hinton, the son of Oswald Herman Paul and Viola (Peters) Muecke. He lived his youth in Hinton, where he attended school and graduated from high school...

Vernon Pageler(05/18/11)Vernon Pageler, 77, of Le Mars, died Tuesday, May 17, 2011, at his home following a brief illness. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Craig. Burial will follow at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Craig. ...

Kelly Schwarz(05/18/11)Kelly Schwarz, 8, of Marcus, died Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at his home surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Holy Name Catholic Church in Marcus. The Very Rev. Armand Bertrand will officiate. Burial will follow at the parish cemetery. ...

Ronald and Barbara Schnoes(05/18/11)Barbara A. Rhodes of Le Mars and Ronald J. Schnoes of Remsen were united in marriage Feb. 18, 2011, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Remsen. The Rev. Bill McCarthy and the Rev. Kevin Richter officated the 6:30 p.m. double ring ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Wayne and Marlene Mousel of Le Mars...

Kennedy-Holtgrewe(05/18/11)Ashley Kennedy of Chandler, Ariz., and Zach Holtgrewe of Le Mars, announce their engagement and approaching marriage. Ashley is the daughter of Scott and Mary Ann Kennedy of Chandler, Ariz. Zach is the son of John and Nancy Holtgrewe of Le Mars. The couple is planning a 4 p.m. ceremony July 1, 2011, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Le Mars. The reception and dance will follow at the Le Mars Convention Center, lower level...

Muecke-Zook(05/18/11)Erin Muecke and Jeff Zook of Hinton announce their engagement and approaching marriage. Erin is the daughter of Clifford (Gus) and Rhonda Muecke of Hinton. Jeff is the son of Jon and Gloria Zook of Sioux City and the late Jean Zook. The couple is planning an Aug. 27, 2011, cerremony at the Abu Bekr Shrine Temple in Sioux City...

Mueller-Lancaster(05/18/11)Rebecca Mueller of Omaha, Neb., and Benjamin Lancaster, of Omaha, and formerly of Le Mars, announce their engagement and approaching marriage. Rebecca is the daughter of Ken and Dawn Mueller of Crofton, Neb. Benjamin is the son of Ted and Shelley Lancaster of Crofton, and formerly of Le Mars...

Schilmoeller-Heese(05/18/11)Donna Jean Schilmoeller and Gregg Alan Heese, both of Le Mars, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. They are planning a 2 p.m. wedding July 2, 2011, at St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars. Donna is the daughter of Ronald and Evelyn Schilmoeller, of Remsen. Gregg is the son of Wayne Heese, of Page, Neb...

Smith-Tonjum(05/18/11)Jamie Smith and Matthew Tonjum of Vermillion, S.D., announce their engagement and approaching marriage. The couple will be married in a 3 p.m. ceremony June 4, 2011, at St. James United Methodist Church in Sioux City. The reception will follow at 5 p.m. at the Eagles Club in South Sioux City, Neb...

Rules are made to be...(05/18/11)"Broken" is the word that comes to mind, but it seems that in our ever-shifting times we live in, rules are enforced unless too many people cry foul. Case in point: Shelton, Connecticut high school senior James Tate. Tate, along with two classmates, trespassed on school grounds last week and taped a question - in one-foot-high letters - to the front of the school. Tate asked Sonali Rodrigues to the prom in the message, and in doing so in this manner, triggered a world-wide tempest...